Day 33-Weigh-in Day: 354.8lbs

WEEK 5

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week's Weight: 354.6

Current Weight: 354.8

This week’s weight loss: +0.2lbs

Total weight loss: 10.6

Miles biked this week: 34.18

Total Miles biked: 282.12

Miles to go: 7217.88

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

LEEDS, Utah (I-15)

TODAY:

I had an okay week. I think I’m getting to the point where it’s easy to start slacking, and not giving 100%. So today is a day to recommit, and stay focused. I’m not bummed about staying the same weight this week. I think I had a break through yesterday and will just keep moving.

LEARNED:

Well, I think I discovered something yesterday. I’ve rode around on my bike here and there, but yesterday morning, I had the chance to ride and just focus. Most of my riding has been on little rides with my daughter. Yesterday I got to focus on my riding. I feel a burn that is not there on my stationary bike. I don’t think I am burning as many calories on my stationary bike. So this week, I have a challenge for myself. I am going to ride down to Liberty Park every morning including next Saturday, and start with 2 laps around, and increase by 1 lap every day. So by Saturday I will do 7 laps. Even if I get tired and have to walk, I will do the laps. Then bike home. This is a good challenge for me.

EATING:

I learned a few things that I need to watch. That sauce that I loved so much, the raspberry chipotle for Costco, well despite the low calories, it’s first ingredient is sugar. I put a tablespoon of honey on my oatmeal every morning. I guess honey is nothing more than sugar. So I see some areas that I can improve.

FILM:

I found a camera guy that can help me this week on interviews.

Day 32: I feel like such a fool!

This morning I had one of the most embarrassing experiences I've ever had...
Thinking back on it, this would be a good reason to hang up the spokes right now!!
While pedaling across a cross walk in the view of the public, my jogging pants leg got caught in the gears and I felt my pants being pulled down. I quickly pulled them up before too much damage was done, but was so embarrassed! I had to walk my bike, hold my pants up and fight against the gears pulling on my pants. Humiliation!

It was bound to happen.

Distance: 7.1

Time: 45 min

Day 31: On the bike again

Day 30: Concerned

Well, I got my workout in. I did 10 miles. I've been slacking a bit because I haven't been feeling well. I've had a cough and some congestion for about 3 weeks. I am getting tired of it. I want to feel healthy and happy, but am not the best. I can't tell if I'm not eating right, or if I simply just have a virus or something. I feel bloated and some times it's hard to breath.

When I did the construction a few days ago on our patio,  I was on my feet most of the time, and on my knees one of the days. It was physically exerting but I don't feel I over did it. I weighed myself and I was weighing 5 lbs heavier! I don't know if I'm retaining water or what. The body is freaking out a bit. Oh well.

 I was going to skip my work out this evening and just get some sleep, but I've only gotten down the road 20 miles so far this week, and I've got to get my distance in. It's a dilemma. I will give it a few more days and if I don't feel better I'll go see the doc and get some antibiotics. I hear though that somethings going around and it is hitting people for about 3 weeks.

Anyway. I had some Chinese food tonight with veggies and tofu...okay I had some General Tso's Chicken too. It tasted good, and I enjoyed it.

Well, it's late...go to bed!

Distance: 10:03
Time: 43:54

Day 29: Month #1 is down, only 14 more to go

Well I'm a month into this adventure and I'm still alive. Overall things have been good. I know I need to work harder though, and that a lot more good pain is ahead of me.
My wife handed me a big bag of frozen chicken the other day. It was heavy. She when pointed out that that is how much weight I've lost. Wow! Tomorrow I plan to get a good bike ride in on my road bike.
Here is a picture of my stationary bike. As you can see it is limping along. Notice the duct tape holding the control center together, and hidden behind the pillows is a seat back that is broken in half. I smell a video tour of my exercise bike coming soon.

Distance: 10:04
Time: 45:42

Day 26-Weigh-in Day: 354.6lbs

WEEK 4

Start Weight: 365.4

Last Week's Weight: 357.6

Current Weight: 354.6

This week’s weight loss: 3lbs

Total weight loss: 11

Miles biked this week: 59.68

Total Miles biked: 247.94

Miles to go: 7252.06

GEOGRAPHY (Where I'd be on the map having started at my house in Salt Lake City, Utah, heading for Tokyo):

Cedar City, Utah (I-15)

TODAY:

I was working with my brother on a little construction project and noticed that my left knee is very weak when it comes to lifting my body weight on my left leg, like going up and down a ladder. But, there will come a day when there won’t be an extra 155lbs to lift. I didn’t do any cycling today, but was on my feet for 13 hours.

LEARNED:

Despite being a little discouraged last week for a low weight loss amount, I just moved forward doing my thing. I think despite missing a 15-mile workout mid-week, I made up a little mileage when I could, and kept eating like a good boy. It’s about weight loss, but it’s not about weight loss. As long as I am doing what needs to be done, I can’t be sad with the results.

It’s been a little over three weeks since I started my journey. I look at the almost 250 miles I’ve biked this month, and as a beginner, that is amazing to me. I’ve got to double that each month to get to Japan…remember it’s only 7500 miles away. I’ve had a cough that I’m trying to get over, but despite that, I feel better, my clothes are getting a little looser, and I am excited about the direction I’m heading. It hasn’t been easy, but I saw a little quote by Mike Tyson saying something about pain being just a temporary thing. I thought about that. Some times it’s not fun to jump on the bike and start pedaling, but once on, half the battle is over. Then you push yourself to have a good workout. The pain only lasts a short time, but the satisfaction of having done a good job stays with you far longer! Every little pedal, every little veggie placed in my mouth, etc., is a step closer to where I will be on June 1, 2013.

EATING:

I need to introduce more beans into my eating. I need to up it on the veggies too. I think I need to go visit with a nutritionist, as I might need some help to tweak things. I find that I can chow down on a meal and literally 30 minutes later my stomach has burned through it and it starts growling. Most of the time I’m fine, but I’ve noticed that there have been some times when I feel hungry and I’m not prepared to eat. I’m still learning and I’m sure I’ll get a good rhythm going. I know that when you’re working out this much, you need to feed the body differently.

FILM:

I’ve got to do some sit down interviews this week because I’ve already lost 11 pounds and I haven’t gotten the kick off interviews done where I get to explain what I’m doing. Some of it I have on “Photobooth, and my iPhone, but I need to get a camera guy over to interview me and a few others. There are some other things that are in the works but I can’t share them on the blog or it will spoil the surprise in the final documentary. I’m curious as to what you think of the videos I’ve posted so far. We’re just getting going, but is there something you’d like to see me put up? Please feel free to comment…I’d love to hear from you.

Day 25: Another day of biking...

Morning

Distance: 8:04

Time: 33:37

Bike Ride with Daughter

Distance: 3:00

Time: 30:00

Evening

Distance: 9:08

Time: 38:30

Day 24: Lap at Liberty Park...pulling a Tag-a-long

I consciously made a decision to not ride my bike Tuesday night. I had to edit until 2am. Then I came home feeling terrible and went to bed last night.

But my persistent daughter had me up nice and early so we could go biking at Liberty Park this morning. We got 3 laps in which is 3.75 miles. We put her Tag-a-long on the back of my bike and so that's pulling an extra 75 pounds! That should count for something. I could feel a good burn in my legs this morning, something I don't feel that often on my stationary bike.

I've included a fun little clip for you from a few weeks back.

Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/VYHegtIVT4Y

Morning
Distance: 3.75
Time: 30 minutes

Evening
Distance: 12:41
Time: 53:13

Day 22: Chompin' at the bit

We'll it has snowed for the past few days and it's cold outside, but should be warming back up. I'm chompin' at the bit to get on my road bike. It looks like the rest of the week will be good.

Doing two shorter workouts seems to be the charm right now. I feel great during the day, although I was a little wound up last night and laid awake for an hour after my workout. Also, I've had a little congestion over the past week or so. I think my body was over doing it and caused a little head cold to come on. Since I'm not pushing so hard now I think it's getting better.

A beautiful dinner I had at home recently!

Day 21: Back in the saddle

This week I'm going to do 2, 30-min workouts/rides everyday and see how that goes with my energy level. Let me know what sort of a workout you're doing.

Morning

Evening

Distance: 15:37

Time: 65:37